Former Rapper Craig Mack Dead At 47

WALTERBORO, S.C. (WCBS 880/AP) -- Former rapper Craig Mack, best known for the platinum 1994 hit "Flava in Ya Ear," has died in South Carolina.

The 47-year-old Mack died at his home in Walterboro around 9 p.m. Monday.

It appeared he died of natural causes, Colleton County Corner Richard Harvey said.

The Long Island native at one time was part of Diddy's Bad Boy Entertainment, which released his first album, "Project: Funk da World,'' anchored by "Flava in Ya Ear,'' which was nominated for a Grammy. His follow-up single, "Get Down'' went gold.

After Mack left Diddy, he released a second album, "Operation: Get Down'' in 1997 but left the music industry and devoted his life to religion.

DJ Scratch said on Instagram that Mack was "one of the few people to strike lighting twice in Hip Hop."